摘要：This paper examines the nature of negative polarity idioms (henceforward
NPIDs), that is, idiomatic constructions which, because of their nature, always
occur in the negative form and express a negative meaning. A dataset with 550
entries of these expressions was compiled. They were selected from general and
specialised dictionaries as well as from several phrase and grammar books.
They were then classified according to the type of negation expressed (clause or
constituent negation), syntactic pattern, meaning and register or social language
variety where they occurred. In spite of the problems and limitations found, it is
shown that NPIDs can be described and systematised. The article concludes by
highlighting the importance of negative polarity idioms as a central area within
the general English polarity system.
